Van Gaal, who revealed that the club's injury crisis has now diminished to the extent that only Ashley Young is ruled out of Sunday's encounter with Southampton, sanctioned an 18-month contract for former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdés Thursday in an effort to step up the competition for De Gea at Old Trafford, reports telegraph.co.uk.

United are attempting to negotiate a new long-term contract for De Gea, whose deal expires in June 2016, following his impressive form.

After being impressed by De Gea's progress since taking over as United manager last summer, Van Gaal insists he is confident that the former Atlético Madrid keeper will extend his stay at Old Trafford.

"I think so, yes," Van Gaal said Friday. "I think there is no problem for him to sign. I can only say that David De Gea has developed himself in the six months that I've been here very much. I am very pleased with his development."